Freon 12 dehydrator and manifold



June 17,

Filed Nov.

19 s. A. SHAPIRO 2,600,435

FREON l2 DEHYDRATOR AND MANIFOLD 29, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET l mu l v 9/hEW/il k 95 "mun 99 mun: 95

' INVENTOR.

SAMUEL A. SNAP/P0 ATTORNEY S. A. SHAPIRO FREON 12 DEHYDRATOR ANDMANIFOLD June 1 7, 1952 Filed Nov. 29, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 IN VEN TOR.5AMUL A. SH/IP/RO 4 TTOP/VEY Patented June 17, 1952 Samuel-A.- Shapiro,Bron-x,-N'Y.

FPI N Wfimber 29, 19,43 $313M No; 62, 59,71

(Granted under a the act of.

arch: 3, 1883, as.-

amended Apriilal 1928.;3701'0. G; 7'57 This invention relatestoimprovements in-re: frigeration apparatus, and moreparticularly' per:tainsto improvements in the dehydrati n .sys: tem of refrigerationapparatus.-

This application is acontinuation inpart of a now abandoned application,SJr. No, 623,161, filedOctober 18, 1945, byapplicant for improvements inFreon 12 Dehydrator: andManifold- The removal of accumulated, moisture;from a refrigerant such as. Freon 12; employed ,in;a j?- frigeratingsystem is accomplished convention: ally by dehydration, therefrigerantbeinemassed through a. chamber wherein, dehydration, is effected. Toaccomplish .this under. proper 7 com trol conditions, it is necessary;-tolprovide inlet and outlet va1ves, a. sight-flow; indicator, and acharging connection.

conventionally, the. valves, indicator, andnther elements. are.incorporated: in the; refri lfa E system by means of pipes andfittings,- with;e m; ployment' of a large number of silver-solderedconnections to. accomplish this ,DU TDQSQ; Asa result,.contrclsaredecentralized and each silversoldered-lconnectionl is a-sourceof;dangerdue to leakage, since such. leakage isinjurio fiz o personnek andcan disrupt operation of; the .en tire-refrigerating; system. Ininstallationsv presentingwibration problems, where limited spaceisavailablerfor-the valves, pipes andfi-tting re-. quired, and; whereaccessibility for purposes; or maintenance. and repair is a. factor. sfor ample-.ininstallations, on ships, the size, and complexity of; theapparatus isa serious disadvantage. Loosenmg of the,- silverrsoldered Jints, occurs frequently. The original. installation and routine.maintenance are costly. In addition, skilled mechanics must be keptavailable tosun n vise maintenance of the system.

Thesubiect d v e prov des amp ct-mani folsiand dehydrating system c thatobviates the itficultiesv and; disa vanta es of the; r or rt- Aaryasstru ture n orporates a l t valves. ondilitstand 9ntr 1s: Bq epr0yid s.,,ans datedh dr t on amb n rin ude means hereby. heidehydra i neyi e apr eremoved from, its: h and; repaired or: rep aced. with:outlinterrupting operation of the refrigerating system.

-,-'The. primary. object. of the. invention is. to provide a compact--manifold of unitary structure that is provided with all of the valves;indicators, connections and dehydrating devices necessarytccontrolthefiow of refrigerant, and also p de th-means t0 r ?l herfrigerant aroundsaid-dehydrating devices.

AnQthen-obiect toprovide a. compact con? trol mechanism that; can beinstalled sfacilely-and qui k y an that; can .be maintained and repairedreadily by reason, of its simplicity and-'acces= sibility.

A- ,further objectgis to .PlOvide a, ,compactr;conrol chanismncludin a.deh d in -d v hat a e aintained nd epaired 1readi1y-by eas nn i s: simpleitmc cce sibi ty. ndlree moya iliw r m: mop ratin f ation: system.

ll a o her bi t sto p ov de-a;- dehydra ne sys emior: ef i ation naratusiniwh ch s stem; h e; s a. mm m n, umber of ilver.- el sred onnecns;-

A ther; b ect s, o; Prov de s. man i ldi. of he h r cter descri ed; hatr an-.1 e; ma ufacured asi y.- n h so trongn durable construction.

Other objects and many of the attendant ad-; vantages of this, inventionwill; be. readilyappredat d; s; he: m -v o es t nder stood by .referenceto the: following; detailed de scriptionwhen considered;inl-mmnectionwith the mpanyin raw s where n;

Fig. 1 is a.-sec,t ional elevationflfra dehydra: tion. system forrefrigeration apparatus taken on the. line-.. of Fig. 2, showing. apreierred mbodime t of theinv ntion Fig; 2 is. a horizontal section,takenon, the line v29:2. of Fig. 1;

Fig.- 3 is .avertical section taken on, the,- line f Fig. 4.. is. an.end elevation thereof;

Fig. 5v is a schematic representation of; the device showing. by-pass.operation, thereof; and

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation oi the device showing .normaloperation thereof.

imi ar. um r ls refer to sim ar parts throughout. the several vviews.

The manifold body H, which ismade-prfifen ably of forged or cast.brass-, comprises.a .,b1ock having a firstcylindrical boss. I3 extendinaboy saidblock proximate one end: thereof, a -second cylindrical bossl5, extendingabove said. block proximate: theother end; thereof, and athird cylindrical, boss I! extending. abov saiiblock betweensaidbossesl3- and I5- Bore. Isl-extends transversely and horizontally throughjody,ll and communicates withvalve chamber 21', which extendsjnto body] Ifrornthe endthereof .proxb mate boss l3, and with, valve chamber 23,.which extends into body I I from theendthereof ,proxi: mate-boss. 15..

or fiiis an outletgport.thatextendsthroush boss '13 and communicateswith valve chamber 2 I. Bore 21 is a charging connection that extendsthrough boss I and communicates with valve chamber 23. Bore 29 is aninlet port that extends through boss IT and communicates with bore I9.Bore 3I extends through body I I horizontally and normally to bore I9,the axes of bores I9 and 3| Intersecting. Said bore 3I communicates atone end with the sight-fiow-indicator chamber 33 carried by boss 35 ofbody I I, and communicates at the opposite end with thesight-flow-indicator chamber 31 carried by boss 39 of body H (see Fig.2). Said chambers 33 and 31, and the indicator thereof, are hereinafterdescribed.

Boss 4I extends horizontally from body I I and is provided with valvechamber 43, which communicates with valve chamber 2| through passage 45.Passage 9! (see Figs. 2 and 3) extends through boss 49 of body II andcommunicates at one end with valve chamber 43 and at the other endcommunicates through bore 48 with the face of body II that is distalboss II. In addition, passage 5I extends through body II andcommunicates at one end with valve chamber 23 and at the other end withthe face of body II that is distal boss n.

Commercial, standard type, packless valve assemblies 53, and 51 areprovided. Valve assembly 53 is mounted on body II at the portion thereofcarrying valve chamber 2I so that valve disc 59 thereof is adapted toabut valve seat 6| to seal valve chamber 2I from bore I9. Valve assembly55 is mounted on body I I at the portion thereof carrying valve chamber23 so that valve disc 63 thereof is adapted to abut valve seat 55 toseal valve chamber 23 from bore I9. Valve assembly 51 is mounted on boss4|, upon valve chamber 43, so that valve disc 61 thereof is adapted toabut valve seat 69 to seal valve chamber 43 from passage 45 and valvechamber 2|.

' The sight-flow indicator carried in bosses 35 and 39 of body I Ipermits observation of the flow of refrigerant when desired. Saidindicator comprises a cutout valve stem II that is normally in openposition, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 2. Said stem II is threadedthrough the body of the manifold in threaded bore I3. Boss 35 isthreaded interiorly to receive packing nut I5, which functions withpacking TI to prevent the refrigerant from leaking around the cutoutvalve stem II. Diametrically opposite said packing nut and packing TI,the sight-flow indicator is provided with a glass disc I9. The disc I9is secured in place by retaining nut 8| and packing 83.

When it is desired to observe the flow of the refrigerant, seal cap 81is removed from boss 39 and the flow of refrigerant can then be observedthrough the glass disc I9. To replace glass disc I9, valve stem II isadvanced to the closed position shown in Fig. 2 and access to said glassis obtained by removing seal cap 81.

The cylindrical dehydrator shell 89 is brazed to the nether face ofmanifold body II. Flange ring9I is secured to said shell 89, and flangecover plate 93 fastened removably to said ring 9| by means of aplurality of bolts 95 and nuts 91. Gasket 99, positioned between ring SIand plate 93, provides a suitable seal. Reinforcing webs 9B are alsoprovided.

Seat fitting IOI is secured in the nether face of manifold body II atthe end of passage 5|. Said seat fitting IIlI is hollow. and dependsfrom said body I I for a distance into shell 89. Dispersion tube I09 issecured interior dehydrant cartridge I95, said cartridge having an endcup I0I whereby abutment with seat fitting IOI is maintained. A felt padI09 and screen discs III and I I3 are seated on the floor of saidcartridge, and spring clip I I5, which is fastened on cartridge I05,bears against flange cover plate 93 to retain said cartridge anddispersion tube against seat fitting A multiplicity of perforations I I1are provided in the wall of dispersion tube I03, and a multiplicity ofperforations II9 are provided in the wall of dehydrant cartridge I05. Asuitable dehydrant, such as silica gel I2 I, is carried in saidcartridge.

In operation, the refrigerant enters the manifold through bore 29. Valve59 is seated on valve seat 6 I valve 63 is in open position, and bore 21is closed by suitable means not shown. Accordingly, the refrigerantpasses through bore 29, thence through bore I9, passage 5I and seatfitting IOI into dispersion tube I03. The refrigerant then passesthrough perforations II! and through the silica gel I2I, wheredehydration is effected, and exists through perforations II9. Valve 51being in open position, the dehydrated refrigerant then passes betweenthe cartridge I05 and shell 89, through passage 4! and valve chamber 2I, and thence through bore 25 and back into the refrigerating system.

When it is desired to by-pass the dehydrator, as for example when it isnecessary to remove the dehydrator for repair, replacement or forre-activation of the dehydrant, valve assembly 55 isclosed so that valvedisc 63 is seated against valve seat 65, valve assembly 51 is closed sothat valve disc 51 is seated against valve seat 59, and valve assembly53 is in open position. Accordingly, the refrigerant passes through bore29, then through bore I9 into valve chamber 2.I and thence through bore25 and back into the refrigerating system.

The flow hereinabove described is shown graphically in Figs. 5 and 6.When by-pass of the refrigerant is desired, valve assemblies 55 and 51are in closed position and valve assembly 53 is in open position. As aresult, flow occurs into inlet bore 29, through valve assembly 53, andback into the refrigerating system through bore 25, the stippled portionof Fig. 5 indicating the path of flow. When dehydration'is desired,valve assembly 53 is in closed position and valve assemblies 55 and 51are in open position. As a result, flow occurs into inlet bore 29,through valve assembly 55, thence through the dehydrator, thence throughvalve assembly 51 and back into the refrigerating system through bore25, the stippled portion of Fig. 6 indicating the path of flow.

Boss I5 serves as a charging connection. Refrigerant can be fed into thesystem through bore 2'! initially or when it is desired to replenishleakage losses. The latter can be done without disrupting operation ofthe system.

It is thus apparent that the subject device improves significantly overdehydrator systems heretofore employed. The manifold structure reducesthe number and complexity of pipes, fittings and silver-solderedconnections to a minimum, thereby presenting a compact installation thatis accessible readily for maintenance'and repair, and reducing vibrationproblems materially. Servicing can be accomplished by relativelyunskilled personnel, in a minimum of time, Without disrupting operationof the system.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. Therefore, within thescope of the appended claims the invention can be practiced otherwisethan as specifically described.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government of the United States of America for governmental purposeswithout the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim:

1. A refrigerant dehydrating system comprising a manifold block, adehydrating chamber attached rigidly to said block, inlet, outlet andcharging ports in said block, a first passage in said block connectingsaid ports, a second passage in said block connecting said inlet portand said chamber, inlet valve means to regulate the fiow of refrigerantto said chamber, a resiliently mounted dehydrating cartridge providedwith perforated side walls positioned in said chamber to receiverefrigerant from said inlet port, a drying agent in said cartridge, athird passage in said block connecting said chamber and the outlet portand adapted to conduct dried refrigerant thereto, outlet valve means toregulate the flow of refrigerant from said chamber to said outlet port,and by-pass valve means in said first passage that permits refrigerantto flow directly from the inlet port to the outlet port and therebyby-pass said chamber when said inlet and outlet valve means are closed.

2. A refrigerant dehydrating system comprising a manifold block, a firsttransverse passage in said block, an enlarged chamber in said block ateach end of said passage, an inlet port in said block communicating withsaid passage, valve means to seal said passage from one of saidchambers, a second passage in said block connecting said one of saidchambers to a central point of discharge of the refrigerant in thebottom of said block, a discharge seat fitting secured rigidly to saidblock at said point, a dehydrating chamber attached rigidly to saidblock over said seat fitting, a removable cartridge provided withperforated side walls positioned Within said chamber, a perforateddispersion tube carried in said cartridge and bearing against said seatfitting, a drying agent carried in said cartridge around said tube, acover plate attached removably to said chamber, spring means to retainsaid tube and cartridge bearing against said seat fitting, an outletport in said block communicating with the other of said enlargedchambers, a third chamber in said block, a passage connecting said otherof said chambers and said third chamber, valve means to seal saidpassage, a passage in said block connecting said dehydrating chamber andsaid third chamber,

6 and valve means to seal said first transverse passage from said otherof said enlarged chambers.

3. A refrigerant dehydrating system comprising a manifold block, adehydrating chamber attached rigidly to said block, inlet, outlet andcharging ports in said block, a first passage in said block connectingsaid ports, inlet valve means to regulate the flow of refrigerant tosaid chamber, a second passage in said block connecting said inlet portand said chamber, a resiliently mounted dehydrating cartridge providedwith perforated side walls positioned in said chamber to receiverefrigerant from said inlet port, a drying agent in said cartridge,outlet valve means in said block, a third passage in said blockconnecting said chamber and the outlet port and adapted to conduct driedrefrigerant thereto, by-pass valve means insaid first passage thatpermits refrigerant to flow directly from the inlet port to the outletport and thereby by-pass said chamber when said inlet and outlet valvemeans are closed, and a sight flow indicator extending transverselythrough said first passage.

4. A refrigerant dehydrating system comprising a manifold block, adehydrating chamber attached to said block, inlet, outlet and chargingports in said block, a first passage in said block connecting saidports, a second passage in said block connecting said inlet port andsaid chamber, inlet valve means to regulate the flow of refrigerant tosaid chamber, a dehydrating cartridge provided with perforated sidewalls and carrying a drying agent positioned in said chamber to receiverefrigerant from said inlet port, a third passage in said blockconnecting said chamber and the outlet port and adapted to conduct driedrefrigerant thereto, outlet valve means to regulate the flow ofrefrigerant from said chamber to said outlet port, and by-pass valvemeans in said first passage that permits refrigerant to fiow directlyfrom the inlet port to the outlet port and thereby by-pass said chamberwhen said inlet and outlet valve means are closed.

SAMUEL A. SHAPIRO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 502,583 Rankine Aug. 1, 18931,727,808 Champion Sept. 10, 1923 2,199,258 Gray- Apr. 30, 19402,223,701 Olson et al Dec. 3, 1940

